President Trump on Monday called for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work closely with social media companies to identify potential mass shooters in remarks that largely focused on how technology can enable real-world violence.
During a speech in which the president condemned white supremacy and hatred following two mass shootings this weekend in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, Trump said the internet plays an important role in radicalizing mass shooters.
The alleged 21-year-old shooter in El Paso, Texas, allegedly posted an anti-immigrant manifesto to fringe social networking platform 8chan shortly before he killed 20 people and injured dozens more on Saturday. This is the third mass shooting in which suspects are believed to have posted hateful content to 8chan before committing murders this year.
“The shooter in El Paso posted a manifesto online consumed by racist hate,” Trump said. “We must recognize that the internet has provided a dangerous avenue to radicalize disturbed minds and perform demented acts.”
“We must shine light on the dark recesses of the internet and stop mass murders before they start,” he said. “The perils of the internet and social media cannot be ignored and they will not be ignored.”
He announced that he is directing the Justice Department to “to work in partnership with local, state and federal agencies as well as social media companies to develop tools that can develop mass shooters before they strike.”
Echoing other Republican lawmakers who have spoken out in the days since the shooting, Trump also directed some of the blame of violence in the country toward video games, despite researchers concluding that they likely do not directly cause young people to become more violent.
Scientific studies have been unable to identify a link between violent video games and violent behavior. But lawmakers and officials have continued to call for a crackdown on video games in the wake of mass shootings.
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Trump calls on Justice Dept to work with social media companies to identify mass shooters https://t.co/n1heiuqNKh pic.twitter.com/g8GZryvnd5
— The Hill (@thehill) August 5, 2019
The Justice Department doesn't have the resources or time to do this. You know who does?
Families. Neighbors. Co-workers. Teachers. Classmates. We have to make it safe and effective for them to come forward when they know – as they almost always do – they have a problem. https://t.co/8XAtp5x3Yp
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) August 5, 2019
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